UK confirms joint airstrike targeting suspected ISIS weapons facility in Syria

British and French warplanes carried out a joint airstrike on an underground facility used by Islamic State militants to store weapons and explosives in central Syria, the U.K. Ministry of Defence said. The strike occurred Saturday night in a mountainous area north of Palmyra, with RAF Typhoon jets and French aircraft targeting access tunnels using precision-guided bombs. Initial assessments indicate the site was successfully hit, … Continue reading UK confirms joint airstrike targeting suspected ISIS weapons facility in Syria

Leftwing militants claim responsibility for arson attack on Berlin power grid

German leftwing militants have claimed responsibility for an arson attack that damaged high-voltage cables in Berlin, cutting power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. The group, calling itself Vulkangruppe, said it targeted wealthy districts to protest climate change, fossil fuel use, and the energy demands of AI data centres. Up to 45,000 households initially lost electricity and heat during freezing weather, affecting hospitals, … Continue reading Leftwing militants claim responsibility for arson attack on Berlin power grid

Gunmen kill at least 30 villagers and abduct others during raid in northern Nigeria

At least 30 villagers were killed and several others are missing after gunmen attacked Kasuwan-Daji village in northern Nigeria’s Niger state, setting fire to homes and the local market. Residents and church officials say the death toll may exceed 40, with children among those abducted, though exact numbers remain unclear. Locals reported that the attack lasted several hours and said security forces had not yet … Continue reading Gunmen kill at least 30 villagers and abduct others during raid in northern Nigeria

Trump says U.S. is “in charge” of Venezuela, Maduro expected in court Monday

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured in a U.S. military operation in Caracas and flown to New York, where they are being held ahead of a federal court appearance on Monday. They face U.S. charges related to drug trafficking and alleged ties to gangs designated as terrorist organizations, which Maduro denies. President Trump said the U.S. would temporarily oversee Venezuela during … Continue reading Trump says U.S. is “in charge” of Venezuela, Maduro expected in court Monday

Denmark ends its postal service after 401 years

Denmark has become the first country to shut down its state-run postal letter service after a 90 percent drop in letter sending over the past 25 years. The final letter was delivered this week, ending a 401-year-old service operated by PostNord. Letter volumes fell from nearly 1.5 billion in 2000 to just 110 million last year, while high costs made the service economically unviable. PostNord … Continue reading Denmark ends its postal service after 401 years

SpaceX opens 2026 with launch of Cosmo-SkyMed Earth observation satellite

SpaceX kicked off the new year with a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying Italy’s 1,700-kg Cosmo-SkyMed Second Generation Flight Model 3 (CSG-FM3) Earth observation satellite. The satellite, with both civilian and military applications, is the third of four in its series and will operate in a 620 km Sun-synchronous orbit using X-band synthetic aperture radar. The launch, originally delayed twice due … Continue reading SpaceX opens 2026 with launch of Cosmo-SkyMed Earth observation satellite

Divers excavate 600-year-old ‘super shipwreck’

Archaeological divers from Denmark’s Viking Ship Museum have discovered what may be the world’s largest medieval cog, a merchant vessel, off Copenhagen. Built around 1410, the exceptionally well-preserved ship provides new insights into northern European shipbuilding and trade. It was found half-buried in sand and silt at a depth of 13 meters in the Oresund strait between Denmark and Sweden. Named Svaelget 2 after the … Continue reading Divers excavate 600-year-old ‘super shipwreck’

Ohio investigators seek killer of Columbus dentist and wife found dead in their home

Ohio police are investigating the homicide of Columbus-area dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique, whose bodies were found in their home earlier this week, leaving their two young children safe but orphaned. Friends and colleagues raised the alarm after Spencer failed to show up for work and Monique did not answer her phone, prompting multiple 911 calls. Police discovered three 9-millimeter casings in the … Continue reading Ohio investigators seek killer of Columbus dentist and wife found dead in their home

Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan resigns in wake of conviction

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan announced her immediate resignation amid impeachment threats and a federal jury finding her guilty of obstructing immigration agents. She cited the ongoing prosecution, her pending appeal, and a desire to prevent a partisan battle from affecting the court as reasons for stepping down. Dugan, a nine-year veteran of the bench, described her time as judge as “the honor of … Continue reading Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan resigns in wake of conviction

Federal judges strike down California open-carry ban

A federal appeals panel ruled that California’s near-total ban on openly carrying firearms in public is unconstitutional. The Ninth Circuit struck down the law preventing permits to openly carry guns in counties over 200,000 people, citing the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which emphasizes historical Second Amendment rights over public safety concerns. The 2-1 decision was authored by Trump appointee Lawrence VanDyke, with Kenneth Lee … Continue reading Federal judges strike down California open-carry ban

Two people killed in magnitude 6.5 earthquake in Mexico

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck southern and central Mexico on Friday, killing at least two people and injuring 12 others. The epicenter was near Acapulco in Guerrero, which sustained moderate damage, while Mexico City experienced structural impacts and power outages affecting most of the city. Authorities are inspecting dozens of buildings and homes for safety, and landslides have been reported on Guerrero highways. Mexico’s Seismic … Continue reading Two people killed in magnitude 6.5 earthquake in Mexico

North Korea fires ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan

North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast, South Korea’s military reported, with Japan confirming it has likely already landed. This follows the country’s last missile test in November. Leader Kim Jong Un has called for more than doubling the production of tactical guided weapons during a recent factory visit. He has also inspected a nuclear-powered submarine and overseen several … Continue reading North Korea fires ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan

After Venezuela operation, Trump says the whole hemisphere is in play

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela after the overnight capture of Nicolás Maduro, signaling possible future actions against Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico. Trump and aides framed Maduro’s ouster as a warning to other regional governments, with threats tied to drug trafficking and regime stability. Latin American leaders condemned the raid, with Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil citing violations of sovereignty, while some … Continue reading After Venezuela operation, Trump says the whole hemisphere is in play

More Saudi airstrikes hit separatist positions in Yemeni port city

Saudi warplanes struck southern separatist positions in Yemen’s port city of Mukalla and surrounding areas as Saudi-backed forces moved to retake the city. The airstrikes targeted the Barshid Brigade camp in Hadramout, one of two governorates recently seized by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC). The STC had declared a constitution for an independent South Yemen and advanced into oil-rich regions, prompting Saudi intervention. The … Continue reading More Saudi airstrikes hit separatist positions in Yemeni port city

Swiss officials open investigation into managers of bar where fire killed 40

Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the managers of a bar where a New Year’s Eve fire killed 40 people and injured over 100. The managers face possible charges of involuntary homicide, bodily harm, and causing a fire, as investigators examine all leads. The fire reportedly started when sparklers on Champagne bottles ignited the bar’s ceiling around 1:30 a.m., prompting scrutiny of safety … Continue reading Swiss officials open investigation into managers of bar where fire killed 40

Mamdani says NYC to replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism

Newly inaugurated New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani drew sharp backlash after promoting “collectivism” over “rugged individualism” in his inaugural address. Conservative leaders nationwide criticized the remarks, warning that collectivist ideology leads to coercion, loss of individual rights, and historical mass death. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and several Republican lawmakers linked Mamdani’s comments to communism, with some labeling him dangerous or Marxist. Mamdani has repeatedly … Continue reading Mamdani says NYC to replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism

Venezuelan president Maduro arrives in New York to face criminal charges

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could appear in court in New York as early as Monday after U.S. forces captured him in a surprise operation and flew him to the city. Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores face U.S. charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine trafficking, and weapons offenses. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will effectively run Venezuela for the foreseeable future and access its oil … Continue reading Venezuelan president Maduro arrives in New York to face criminal charges

Greg Abel takes over as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

Warren Buffett has stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, passing leadership to his chosen successor, Greg Abel. Abel, 63, takes over after Buffett spent six decades building the company into a global powerhouse. As CEO, Abel will maintain Berkshire’s decentralized structure while navigating slower growth due to the firm’s massive size. Although the transition surprised some investors, Buffett had announced in May that he … Continue reading Greg Abel takes over as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

US strikes Venezuela & captures Maduro; Trump says US going to run the country for now

President Trump said early Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country during a large-scale U.S. strike, drawing swift international condemnation. Trump said the U.S. would temporarily run Venezuela during a transition period and move to restore oil production. U.S. officials said the operation was carried out by the Army’s Delta Force, and Maduro is expected … Continue reading US strikes Venezuela & captures Maduro; Trump says US going to run the country for now

Authorities find body of 4-year-old Alabama boy missing since New Year’s Eve

The body of 4-year-old Johnathan Everett Boley, who went missing on New Year’s Eve in Jasper, Alabama, was found Friday about two miles from his home, authorities said. His dog was found alive with him, and his 6-year-old brother had helped identify the last place he was seen. Johnathan’s father, Jameson Kyle Boley, has been arrested on explosives-related charges and faces two counts of chemical … Continue reading Authorities find body of 4-year-old Alabama boy missing since New Year’s Eve

Minnesota must provide documents to US government in child care fraud probe by next week

Minnesota officials have until Jan. 9 to provide information on child care providers and parents receiving federal funds or risk losing that funding, after the Trump administration alleged widespread fraud. State officials said inspections of nine child care centers accused by a social media influencer found they were largely operating as expected, with no major issues identified. The funding freeze follows viral claims of fraud … Continue reading Minnesota must provide documents to US government in child care fraud probe by next week

Venezuela accuses US of attacking civilian, military installations in multiple states

At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were reported around 2 a.m. Saturday in Caracas, prompting Venezuela’s government to accuse the United States of attacking civilian and military sites. The Pentagon declined immediate comment, while the FAA banned U.S. flights over Venezuela and nearby Curacao due to ongoing military activity. Explosions occurred over less than 30 minutes, causing power outages at military installations and in … Continue reading Venezuela accuses US of attacking civilian, military installations in multiple states

China’s ‘Space Mouse’ Gives Birth After Orbit

A Chinese space experiment has shown that female mammals can successfully reproduce after spaceflight, with one mouse giving birth to nine healthy pups following a two-week stay aboard the Tiangong space station. The female returned to Earth on November 14, and the birth on December 10 marks the first known case of a female mammal exposed to microgravity later delivering offspring. During the mission, mice … Continue reading China’s ‘Space Mouse’ Gives Birth After Orbit

Russia accuses Ukraine of killing 27 people in New Year attack in occupied Kherson region

Russia accused Ukraine of killing at least 27 people and injuring more than 30 in a drone strike on a New Year’s party at a hotel and cafe in the Russian-occupied Kherson region. The attack, reported by the Russia-installed governor Vladimir Saldo, allegedly used three drones to hit a venue in Khorly on the Black Sea, and Saldo said he informed President Putin. Ukraine did … Continue reading Russia accuses Ukraine of killing 27 people in New Year attack in occupied Kherson region

Taiwan’s president pledges to defend island’s sovereignty after Chinese military drills

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed to defend the island’s sovereignty in his New Year’s address, warning of China’s “expansionist ambitions” after Beijing conducted live-fire military drills near Taiwan. Lai emphasized strengthening national defense, societal resilience, and building effective deterrence against potential aggression. His remarks followed China’s objections to a planned $11 billion U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, which includes missiles, drones, and artillery systems. Beijing … Continue reading Taiwan’s president pledges to defend island’s sovereignty after Chinese military drills